In This Issue

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Who WAs Mrs. Charles M. Rice?

 

By Becky Brown

St. Louis Symphony

 

In 1923, Mrs. Charles M. Rice invited a group of St. Louis women to meet in her home, to plan for a group to support the St. Louis Symphony. Using the Women's Association of The Philadelphia Orchestra as a model, the group developed rules for a new organization called The Women's Committee of the Saint Louis Symphony Society.

 

The original list of members numbered over 130 names. A member's requirements included: 1) subscriber to the Guarantee Fund, 2) season ticket subscriber, or 3) service to the Orchestra. Member dues were $2.00.

 

Ranks of this organization grew rapidly to include 465 members by the end of 1927.

 

From the 1927 Annual Report, the purpose of the Committee was "to advance the interests of the Orchestra, stimulate attendance at the concerts, to further the progress of the children's concerts, and to act as a hospitality committee." Additionally, members organized a series of pre-symphony talks typically presented by guest conductors.

 

By the 1930s, the Committee sponsored young people's concerts; implemented awards inspired by the concerts; honored Symphony soloists at social gatherings; offered a new music scholarship to the summer high school camp at Interlochen, Michigan; and formed The Junior Women's Committee for younger women, who arranged pre-concert lectures and parties for visiting artists.

 

In 1934, the women secured 1,332 new Symphony subscriptions and an additional 627 for the following year which was a feat reported across the country within musical circles. Mrs. Charles M. Rice became president in 1935.

 

By 1937, the Committee changed its name to The Women's Association of the Saint Louis Symphony Society.  After Mrs. Rice completed her two-year term as president, she followed her vision to organize the Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV).

 

Since the time of Mrs. Rice's leadership, the membership of the Symphony volunteer group has changed. In 1991, volunteers became the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association with both women and men an integral part of the membership.

 

message from amsov president

"What we have learned from others becomes our own reflection."

Ralph Waldo Emerson   

Helen Shaffer Houston Symphony Orchestra

  

 

All those who attend the AMSOV Conferences have a great thirst for learning and becoming leaders. It is those with a passion for growth that continue to attend our AMSOV Conference. We appreciate your loyalty. We attribute AMSOV's seventy-five-year history to its outstanding bold and dynamic leadership.    

 

Come spend an hour learning how you can participate by serving. Let us share thoughts enumerating the ways you can be a part of this exciting board. The time and place will be in your Conference notebook, and we will make an announcement. Don't miss this opportunity!

As President of AMSOV, this will be my last article for the newsletter. I have truly enjoyed every minute. The friendships that have developed will be cherished. As I reflect on the past two years, my association with you has fostered many learning experiences and a great measure of personal growth for which I am most sincerely grateful. The learning experiences and growth I have encountered reflect each one of you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. 

 

 

 

 

  AMSOV SELF GOVERNANCE THrOUGH BOARD

Sally Bullard (center) makes a point at a working meeting of the AMSOV Board, held in her Philadelphia home last February.

The AMSOV Board meets twice a year and during the Conference. During the 39th Biennium, Board meetings were hosted by:

• Charles Cagle, Nashville Symphony Orchestra
• Arlyss Burkett, Los Angeles Philharmonic
• Iris Harvie, The Cleveland Orchestra
• Sally Bullard, The Philadelphia Orchestra
• Michel Minor, Kansas City Symphony

 Register for Conference

 

register for amsov 2013 conference before registration fee increases on april 1

Register Today

  

Come to Kansas City, the city of fountains, for the four-day AMSOV 39th Biennial Conference May 16 - 19, 2013. Beat the fee increase by registering today.   The fee increases from $525 to $625 on April 1st.  Your registration fee includes Conference sessions and events,  transportation to offsite events, and meals. Registration Forms

  

  

ACCEPTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
AS SOLUTIONS AND LOOKING FOR THEIR ADDED VALUE

  

  

  

Mike Minor

In the 75-year history of AMSOV, there have been many technological innovations that our volunteer organizations have used in the support of their orchestras. Some of these innovations come to mind immediately; however, others have been with us so long that we hardly think of them as technological innovations.

 

Which of these do you consider as a technological innovation or an everyday necessity?

• Handheld calculators
• Photocopiers
• Personal computers
• Invitations; that is, creating event invitations using a personal computer
• E-mail
• Internet
• Web sites
• FaceBook
• Twitter
• Online collaboration
• Electronic newsletters

 

Each of these innovations has made, or has the potential to make our organizations more efficient. Some also give us the opportunity to reach out and connect to a larger pool of volunteers.

 

 

• Better Use of Volunteer Hours - Volunteer hours previously spent assembling and addressing newsletters can be used elsewhere.
• Immediate and Predictable Delivery - Lead times are shortened because delivery is immediate; as a result, newsletters can be sent closer to the times of key events.
• Larger, Full-Color Newsletters - No extra costs are incurred for color, additional photographs, or additional pages, which allows more members and members' activities to be featured in the newsletter.
• Interactivity - Links can be inserted into a newsletter to refer volunteers to the organization's web site or other web sites of interest.
• Feedback - Reports let organizations know that newsletters were delivered and how many were opened by volunteers, which help gauge the interest and effectiveness of a specific newsletter.

The secondary benefits of a technology solution have the potential to greatly benefit your organization. For this to happen, the benefits must first be recognized and then implemented. This highlights one of the major benefits of being a member of AMSOV, specifically, networking and sharing best practices with members from other orchestras. Of course, one of the places to do this is at the upcoming Biennial Conference.

 

I am hopeful that you will attend the AMSOV 39^th Biennial Conference in May in Kansas City, where one of the technological innovations that we will be highlighting is web-based volunteer management.

 

Michael Koch of VolunteerMatters.com will speak to us on this topic. Visit VolunteerMatters.com for background information. Mr. Koch's presentation will include the advantage of a centralized volunteer database and volunteers accessing a web site to sign up for volunteer activities. Just a few of the advantages are:

• Volunteer sign-up is available 24/7 (24 hours a day/ 7 days a week).
• Less volunteer or symphony staff time is used coordinating volunteers.
• Reminders are automatically sent to volunteers.
• Volunteer hours are automatically tracked for your symphony and can help with volunteer recognition.
• Volunteer leaders work from the latest information on a single, web-based data source. 

Hope to see you in Kansas City, Missouri for the AMSOV 39^th Biennial Conference for more on this topic and all the other activities and events we have planned for you. Please visit the Conference web site for more on this Conference.

 

 AMSOV Kansas City Conference

 

  

TAKE A PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR
  

 If you arrive early, sign up on your registration form for one of the tours offered on Thursday morning. Your guests are invited, also. Offered::

• World War I Memorial
• Truman Library
• Shopping Trip/Transfer to Plaza

  

BRING AN EXHIBIT

  

Find your way to the AMSOV Exhibition Hall at The Westin Kansas City Crown Center Hotel.

Every orchestra volunteer organization attending the AMSOV Conference is encouraged to bring an exhibit highlighting a special program, project, or membership highlights. The Exhibition Hall, located in The Westin at Crown Center, will be open from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, to allow volunteers time to set up exhibits.

  

If you wish to mail your exhibit to the hotel, for a slight charge, the hotel will hold your package at the front desk. Use the address:

Your Name

Arriving on May 15, 2013 (or May 16, 2013)

The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center

1 East Pershing Road

Kansas City, MO 64108

  

For further details, telephone The Westin: 816.474.4400.

JOIN THE AMSOV PHOTO SHOOT prior to THE OPENING NIGHT GALA

  

Expect to have your photo taken during the pre-banquet reception on Thursday evening. The Kansas City AMSOV Conference planners have engaged professional photographer Michael Newburger to photograph each orchestra volunteer organization's delegation, assigned in alphabetical order. Find him outside the banquet room at the waterfall at 5:30 p.m.

  

The Opening Night Gala will start at 6:30 p.m., and dress will be black tie optional this year. The evening will include a banquet, music, and speaker.

At the 2009 AMSOV Conference opening night reception, the photographer captured on film Sue Clauss and Ginny Cushman of Los Angeles Philharmonic. They are now the current AMSOV Co-Archivists.

  

  

  

on FRIDAY... BEST PRACTICES TO LEARN

  

On Friday, the AMSOV Conference will commence with full pageantry. Scheduled is the First General Session and Business Meeting.

TOUR THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART

  

At 12:00 noon, the AMSOV delegates and guests will depart by chartered bus to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Lunch will be served in Lens 2, a restaurant on the second level. After lunch, museum-trained docents will lead tours of the exhibits. Next, delegates will move to the Nelson-Atkins Museum Auditorium for a presentation by VolunteerMatters representative and the State of the Arts Panel. 

  

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art reflected in a modern glass building.

 DINe IN A PRIVATE HOME

  

On Friday evening, AMSOV delegates and guests will enjoy dinner in private homes. Several Kansas City volunteers will open their homes, to continue this AMSOV tradition pf hosting 4 to 16 guests in a home for dinner. Transportation will be provided.

  

Dinner in this private home in a Detroit suburb was a gourmet feast for eight guests at the AMSOV 2009 Conference.

On SATURDAY... LEADERSHIP TRAINING  

  

BEGIN THE DAY WITH INSPIRATION
end THE DAY with DINNER AND A CONCERT

   

On Saturday morning, Kirk Hardcastle will launch the Second General Session with his presentation, Leadership that Inspires Action: Culture

Kirk Hardcastle

, Cooperation and Commitment. (See AMSOV eNEWS, Spring 2012, page 2.) After lunch, the Second General Session will continue. Henry Schwaller will be a speaker.  

  

After a heavy-duty day of business and learning, AMSOV delegates and guests can look forward to a Saturday night dinner in a special restaurant and a concert by the Kansas City Symphony in its new Helzberg Hall.

  

The place for dinner will be Webster House, located next door to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Helzberg Hall. The restaurant is a dining and shopping destination in the heart of Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District. You will get an awesome view of downtown Kansas City, dinner and time to browse the gift shop known for its collection of European antiques. 

Webster House, .

Helzberg Hall .

  
Asher Fisch is the guest conductor of the Kansas City Symphony on May 18th. He is unique in that he is both a conductor and a pianist.

  

Asher Fisch

Maestro Fisch will first conduct Mahler's Blumine, Symphonic Movement, which is incidental music that Mahler wrote for a dramatization of Scheffel's narrative poem, The Trumpeter of Sachingen in 1884. Next, Maestro Fisch takes center stage as the featured pianist, as well as the conductor, for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453.

  

During intermission, AMSOV delegates and guests are invited to the Symphony Suite for refreshments in Helzberg Hall.

  

After intermission, Maestro Fisch will conduct Brahms' Quartet for Piano and Strings in G minor, Op. 25. Arnold Schoenberg orchestrated this piece in 1937. It uses three flutes, three oboes, three clarinets, three bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion and strings.

  

At the conclusion of the concert, chartered buses will return you to The Westin hotel.

  

ON SUNDAY... EDUCATION DAY

  

TOUR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Sunday begins with a tour of the new Kauffman Performing Arts Center.

  

travel to PARK UNIVERSITY   

  

Picture yourself inside a huge tent on the grounds of beautiful Park University. You will not only learn from a panel discussion scheduled on Education Day but also enjoy comaraderie over a plated lunch and musical performances. 

  

EVENING FESTIVITIES   

  

Mrs. Charles M. Rice, First AMSOV President

TOAST AMSOV'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  

On Sunday evening,  AMSOV Vice President and 2013 Conference Chair Mike Minor will lead delegates and guests in a toast to AMSOV's founding 75 years ago. A Champagne toast and cake will be part of the evening's festivities at the Kansas City Designers' Showhouse. This last night of the Conference will be a fitting tribute to the founders of AMSOV on the 75th anniversary. Delegates will receive a 75th Anniversary pin like the one pictured below.

  

It was 1937 when The Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV) organized itself in Saint Louis, Missouri. The stated objective continues to be printed in the AMSOV Bylaws, Article II, Section 2:

  

"The objectives of the Corporation shall be the interchange of ideas among the volunteer support organizations for major symphony orchestras, discussion of activities in furthering the support and ensuring continued existence of major symphony orchestras, and practical application of the same to the varying needs of their respective communities."

  

Those present at the initial gathering included members of the Executive Board of the Women's Association of the Saint Louis Symphony Society plus delegates from committees representing orchestras in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Rochester and Seattle. Elected President was Mrs. Charles M. Rice of  Saint Louis, Missouri.

Since 1937, Conferences have been held every two years. Locations include Saint Louis, Rochester, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Houston, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver, Cleveland, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, Montreal, Buffalo, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Detroit.. Several cities have hosted AMSOV more than once.

Members of AMSOV are individually and collectively dedicated to furthering the support of major symphony orchestras. Goals are pursued through the Biennial Conference, the newsletter, the AMSOV website and the mentoring between AMSOV Board members and the Presidents of AMSOV member volunteer organizations.

  

FUNDRAISING IDEAS FROM VOLUNTEERS

  

Boston Symphony Association of Volunteers

 

The Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras selected Tanglewood Family Fun Fest  for a recent Gold Book Online Award of Excellence. Tanglewood Family Fun Fest is one of nine outstanding projects from submissions to the Gold Book Online to be recognized at the League's National Conference this coming June.

 

Musical Sculpture

Tanglewood, located in the Berkshire Hills, is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Volunteer leadership and senior staff conceived Tanglewood Family Fun Fest, which took place on June 29, 2012, as an interactive opportunity to kick off the 75^th Tanglewood Anniversary.

 

The goal of the event was to create some "buzz" with a community building event for families from the Berkshires and beyond. This event would also allow the opportunity to showcase Tanglewood and the family-based activities that take place during the season.

 

Families arrived and received a map with 12 stamp boxes. Families then were given the opportunity to go to the 12 locations on campus. At some of these locations, volunteers asked questions and then stamped the maps. Other stops were more interactive, including an Instrument Playground, a percussion demonstration and craft activities.

 

Since only eight percent of Berkshire households attend classical music concerts at Tanglewood, the hope of the Boston Symphony Orchestra was that this event would show that classical music can be a fun family activity. Success was to be measured by attendance. The goal was to have 500 people participate; ultimately 3,900 people (850 households) registered and 2,400 actually attended. Through the pre-registration, Boston Symphony Orchestra secured email and mailing addresses which are now being used for future communications about the Orchestra's educational programs in Boston and in the Berkshires.

 

The Boston Symphony Orchestra staff and volunteers are planning to repeat the event in the coming year. They plan to expand the project by involving additional Berkshire performing arts groups who can create performances or activities along the scavenger hunt route. Sculptures with a musical theme, designed by Massachusetts high school and college students, will be placed throughout Berkshire County to publicize the upcoming season. 

 

Volunteer stamps a child's map.

Volunteer guides a trumpet enthusiast at the Instrument Playground.

  

League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association

  

  

Headliner for the League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association's Corporate Night is Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul." Her performance on May 20th at Symphony Center will cap the 24th year of this fundraiser. Initiated by the Women's Association in 1990, the pop concert salutes Chicago's corporate community. The event this year is chaired by member Jetta Boschen.

  

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION

  

  

women's committee of the CLEVELAND orchestra 

  

  

DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE

  

  

DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA VOLUNTEER COUNCIL

   

Trumpeting Spring is the major upcoming fundraiser planned by The Detroit Symphony Orchestra   Volunteer Council. The event will include a luncheon and a Neiman Marcus fashion show, on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.The suburban venue is the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan.

 

Special features of the day include a signature cocktail, a "Cosmosa;" luncheon announced by a fanfare performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra brass players; auction items and experiences including a sailboat cruise, a fashion shopping spree, a hotel stay with breakfast, and more; bidding emceed by a celebrity guest host; and the fashion show using both professional and non-professional (but recognizable) models.

 

Sponsorships help support the event. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Volunteer Council will use print and electronic media and traditional local print media for promotion, as well as a magazine sponsorship. Members of the local social press are invited. Ticket prices are $75, $100, $160. All tickets include valet parking and a complimentary Beauty Facial Experience Gift Card ($100 value).

  

  

Kansas City SYMPHONY VOLUNTEERS

  

Kansas City Symphony with Music Director Michael Stern

  

The Kansas City Symphony volunteers are hosting the AMSOV 39^th Biennial Conference in Kansas City, Missouri from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, May 19, 2013.

 

Organized into five auxiliaries, the Kansas City Symphony volunteers focus on producing fundraising events and activities to benefit the Symphony. Each year, the auxiliaries contribute a combined total of nearly $1 million to the Symphony. In addition to the opportunity to support the arts in Kansas City, volunteers receive many benefits within their auxiliaries and from the Symphony.

 

The Jewel Ball Committee is an auxiliary that hosts the Jewel Ball each year. At this event, young women and men are formally presented to the community. The Jewel Ball provides financial support to the Kansas City Symphony and to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and participants are encouraged to accept the commitment for furthering these institutions. Margaret Pence is Chair.

 

Kansas City Symphony Alliance coordinates the Symphony Designers' Showhouse each year, a major fundraiser that is a national award-winning project. The Showhouse project raises more than $100,000 each year for the Symphony. President is Tracey Hawkins. Attendees at the AMSOV Conference will tour the most recent Designers' Showhouse and enjoy dinner and entertainment in the house on Sunday evening, May 19^th.

 

Kansas City Symphony Guild sponsors two fundraising events each year. The Homes of Note Tour offers guests a view of three homes decorated for the holidays. The other event, a Cabaret Concert features a performance by the Kansas City Symphony. President is Susan Newburger.

 

Kansas City Symphony League hosts the annual Symphony Ball each September, a major financial and social event that opens the concert season. Featured are a cocktail hour, silent auction, gourmet dinner, dancing and a Pops performance of the Kansas City Symphony, conducted by Music Director Michael Stern and featuring a guest artist. Patrons who support the Symphony Ball at the benefactor level are also invited to attend a reception in honor of their support. President is Karen Mische.

 

Kansas City Symphony Women's Association supports the Symphony through a variety of events. They include a holiday poinsettias sale, Valentine's luncheon, cookbook sales, and parties. President is Joan Wells.

 

  

LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC AFFILIATES

 

The Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras selected the Shout-Out Auction project of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates for a Gold Book Online Award of Excellence, which will be presented in June at the League's Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

At the Opening Night Gala last September, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates raised $4,000 in ten minutes of bidding from a group of 110 guests in a Shout-Out Auction. Since then, two Philharmonic Affiliate Committees tried a Shout-Out Auction at their local fundraisers and discovered that they raised more funds in a shorter time than any past fundraising event.

 

Affiliate Chair Aida Gaona thanks Shout-Out Auction Co-Chairs Stephanie Klopfleisch and Nan Flette.

Gala Fundraising Co-Chairs Stephanie Klopfleisch and Nan Flette, members of the Committee of Professional Women (COPW) share the techniques of a Shout-Out Auction. Handled correctly, a Shout-Out Auction takes eight hours of pre-planning, one hour for set-up the day of the event, and 10 to 12 minutes for the bidding. Overhead cost is minimal.

 

1. Select a scheduled event that will have an audience of 75 to 100 people, such as the annual volunteer awards dinner for Orchestra supporters or the Opening Night Gala.
2. Prior to the event, develop a wish list of 20 to 30 auction items. Prices should range from inexpensive to very expensive.
3. Prepare a summary list of auction items for display at dinner tables or for each attendee and prepare donor bid cards, to include the bidder's name, address, billing information, item purchased and its amount. Find inexpensive symbolic bidder gifts or souvenirs through an internet supplier.
4. The day of the auction, you will need six helpers: a peppy, confident auctioneer; an audience "mingler" to help cheer bidders; three "runners" to pick up completed bid cards; and someone to give out the donor souvenirs.
5. Room set up must include a speaker system and a microphone, enabling everyone to hear the auctioneer.
6. Pick a time during the event when guests are relaxed and comfortable and when the Shout-Out Auction is not competing with any other activity. Times that work well occur after cocktails or after the salad course.
7. Begin the Shout-Out Auction. First, the auctioneer adds excitement by stressing how little time (10 to 15 minutes) is allotted to help the charity. The auctioneer might engage in show and tell about your charity and what you are auctioning. Display a ½ size violin, tuba, or whatever will add to the fun and excitement. Then begin the bidding. Go through the items one by one and ask the audience to bid by completing and raising their bid cards. The runners need to pick up the cards as soon as they are raised. Note that an item can have more than one winning bidder as the more bidders on an item, the more money you will raise. The audience "mingler" should lead applause whenever you get a big bid. The auctioneer can personalize the donations, such as "Hurray, we have $500 for teacher supplies." Periodically, announce how much has been raised so far and how many minutes are left for bidding.
8. End the Shout-Out Auction on time. Then announce to donors where to pay their bid by cash, check or credit card and announce that they will receive donation receipts in the mail.
9. Thank everyone effusively for their good works.

"This is a noisy, confusing, and exciting auction that people will enjoy," says Stephanie.

 

  

  

COMITE DES BENEVOLES DE L'ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTREAL/
MONTREAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION

  

  

The Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras recently selected the Violin Project of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Association for a Gold Book Award which will be presented in June at the League's Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

Old violin becomes a work of art.

  

SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION

  

Pick a Party attendees make their selections.

Now beginning its fifth year of the popular Parties of Note fundraising project, the 
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association hosted an enthusiastic crowd at the Pick A Party! kick-off event at Plaza Frontenac recently. Supporters and patrons of the Saint Louis Symphony had the first opportunity to make reservations for 32 different parties before they were offered for sale to the general public. The parties are donated by the hosts and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Symphony. Parties of Note give attendees the chance to gather in some of St. Louis' greatest homes and exclusive venues to enjoy a variety of themed parties throughout the year from June through April. Parties of Note is the Volunteer Association's second largest fundraiser, which made a profit of more than $62,000 last year.

 

At the kick-off event, guests eagerly lined up at the multiple party tables to make their purchases while sampling fine wines and hors d'oeuvres throughout the evening. Musical selections from the St. Louis Jazz All Stars, Java Jived, and the St. Louis Sirens kept all the party goers entertained as well. Unique party offerings include an evening with Concertmaster David Halen and other Symphony principal musicians at The Saint Louis Woman's Club. A few of the other featured parties include the ever-popular breakfast at

Linda Lee and Anne von der Heydt attend a Pick a Party.

Tiffany's and an intimate dining experience and conversation with St. Louis' legendary writer of human interest stories, Bill McClellan of the St. Louis Post- Dispatch. A new addition to Pick A Party! this year was a drawing to win two reservations at one of four selected parties. At only $30 a chance, this drawing proved to be a hit with guests and helped raise additional funds to support the Symphony.

Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV) | 562-493-6031 | helen@shaffer.com | http://www.amsov.org
5301 Shady River Dr.
Houston, TX 77056